Amanda Brooks on Coaching the Middle Pack: Turning Running Punishment into Purpose

For The Long Run: Exploring the Why Behind Running

Jonathan Levitt

November 7, 202557 min
Running

Amanda Brooks on Coaching the Middle Pack: Turning Running Punishment into Purpose

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Episode Notes

From faking knee pain to avoid running to coaching over 1,000 runners - Amanda Brooks knows exactly what it's like to be in the middle of the pack, because that's where most of us actually are.

Amanda Brooks has been a running coach for over 13 years, working with thousands of runners to find more enjoyment in the process. She’s also known for the thousands of reviews on her site and her highly rated book, "Run to the Finish," geared towards the middle of the pack.

Jon chats with Amanda about:

  • when do you become a “real” runner?

  • finding motivation to run when you’ve lost it (not race goals)

  • time management strategies when running with a full time job

  • stereotypes that runners NEED to break

  • what Amanda considers when trying a new shoe

  • industry and shoe predictions for 2026

Stay connected:

Follow Amanda:

instagram.com/runtothefinish

www.runtothefinish.com

Her Book, “Run to the Finish:”

https://a.co/d/i9rM7OF

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